“I met Aliza, an Israeli woman living in Seattle, after she had experienced an unimaginable loss when her husband passed away and she became a single mother to three small kids,” shares Sigal Bujman, coordinator for the JFS Israeli Community Services (ICS) program, a pilot program established as a response to the events of October 7, to meet the emerging needs of the local Israeli community in Western Washington.
“At ICS, we provided Aliza the emotional and practical support that she and her kids needed. This included financial aid, access to the food bank, help navigating American and Israeli healthcare and government agencies, and setting up a professional support system in Israel for when she and her family returned,” Sigal continues.
Aliza sent Sigal this message recently after arriving back home: “We are trying to adjust back to being in Israel. I wanted to thank you for the help we received in Seattle — without it we would not have made it. Thank you for being a part of our healing journey.’”
ICS has made significant positive impacts on the lives of our Israeli and Jewish community since its inception, and the program will be extended through 2024.
We are thrilled to be able to support our Israeli and Jewish communities in the region in a variety of ways. Since October 2023, the program has:
- Developed an emotional support program for individuals and groups in the Puget Sound region impacted by the Israel/Hamas war
- Gathered 564 people within the Israeli and Jewish communities for 14 community and cultural events
- Provided 24 individuals with food access, financial aid, mental health support, and community integration
One key goal of ICS is to strengthen engagement and connections among the Israeli and Jewish communities through events and gatherings. Sigal notes, “Of utmost importance are the community events. It is a chance to get to know the community further and offer meaningful opportunities to connect, share, and celebrate-always maintaining the Israeli and Jewish culture at the core.”
Inspired by our history and values, Jewish Family Service supports the needs of Jewish individuals and families, refugees and immigrants, and our broader community to achieve well-being, health, and stability. We are proud to be a beacon of compassion and support for all people in the Puget Sound region, offering culturally sensitive services provided by professional staff, enhanced by dedicated volunteers, and supported by our base of generous community donors.
Since 1892, Jewish Family Service has been an outstretched hand to those in our community who need help. Need takes many forms—financial, emotional, physical, and mental—and arise at different times in one’s life. JFS is here for all of them.
Learn more about Israeli Community Services.
Please email Sigal Bujman at sbujman@jfsseattle.org to set up a confidential conversation to understand your needs and answer any questions you might have. Sigal is fluent in Hebrew, English, and Spanish.
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